A trigger determines when and why your agent runs. Before publishing your agent, select a trigger that matches how you want to start your agent.
Default triggers
These triggers are available for all agents:
| Trigger | How it works |
|---|---|
| On Demand | The agent runs when you manually start it using the Run button or by chatting with it. |
| Schedule by Zapier | The agent runs automatically at set intervals (for example, every day at 9 AM). |
| Trigger via Zaps & MCP | The agent runs when triggered by a Zap action step or a Zapier MCP server. Learn more about starting an agent from a Zap. |
Trigger from another app
You can also select an app trigger (like Gmail, Google Sheets, or Slack) to start your agent when a specific event occurs in that app, such as when a new email arrives or a new row is added to a spreadsheet.
When you use an app trigger, your agent will receive data from that app when the trigger event occurs. You can then mention this data in your agent's instructions.
Add or change a trigger
- From the Zapier Agents home, select your agent.
- In the Trigger section, click + Add trigger (or click the existing trigger to change it).
- Select a default trigger or search for an app.
- Configure any required fields (like schedule frequency or app connection).
- Click Add trigger.
What happens after publishing
Once you publish your agent, your trigger becomes active:
- Schedule by Zapier trigger: runs at the configured intervals.
- App trigger: waits for events to happen (like new emails or spreadsheet rows).
- On Demand trigger: responds when you click Run or chat with the agent.
- Trigger via Zaps & MCP: responds when a connected Zap or MCP server calls the agent.
If your agent uses the On Demand trigger, you must manually start it each time using the Run button or by sending a message in the chat.
NoteUntil you publish, your agent only runs during testing. Publishing activates your trigger and allows your agent to respond to events automatically.
Verify your agent is running
If you're unsure whether your trigger is working, check the Activity tab to see your agent's run history. By default, Activity shows runs from the past two days—use the date picker to select a wider range if needed. If you do not see expected activity, see troubleshooting tips for Zapier Agents.
Next steps
- Add actions to give your agent tools to work with.
- Add knowledge sources to provide your agent with data.
- Publish your agent to activate the trigger.
Provide feedback and get help
Submit a feature request, provide feedback on existing features, or get help from the Zapier Agents team. You can also discuss Agents with other users on Zapier's Early Access Program Slack.